NEED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT

The West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) is a critical component of West Virginia’s transportation network. The Airport Authority and FAA’s objective is to provide safe and efficient Airport facilities for the traveling public and Airport users. The Proposed Project encompasses several components and is needed to address various safety and operational deficiencies at the Airport. The overall project includes development that identifies separate objectives for the near-term and long-term, allowing justification for approval of Phase 1 (near-term) regardless of the timing of implementation of the remainder of the project.

Phase 1 of the Proposed Project would address the immediate and primary need to enhance safety, as the existing RSAs do not meet current FAA design standards. Additionally, the 2015 slope failure at the Airport reduced the physical and operational lengths of the runway, resulting in operational restrictions to airlines and aircraft using the Airport. To address the insufficient runway length caused by the slope failure, Phase 1 of the Proposed Action would shift and extend Runway 5-23 to the northeast (Runway 23 end) to meet existing runway length requirements of 7,000 feet. There is also a need to improve and enhance the efficiency of aircraft and passenger movement in the terminal area. The existing terminal complex, which was originally constructed in the 1950s, is not configured for current airline passenger processing needs or the needs of the existing aircraft fleet, resulting in an inefficient and low level of service (LOS) for passengers. The new terminal facility would provide six (6) aircraft gates to replace the existing terminal and concourses; address terminal area inefficiencies that include an aging and poorly configured terminal facility; relocate taxiways adjacent to the terminal area that are not consistent with FAA design standards; and provide modern amenities and allow for a better passenger experience.

The need for the long-term development (Phase 2) is dependent on and in support of a change in the critical aircraft serving CRW and/or forecast destinations that are anticipated to occur between 2030 and 2040. Some of these aircraft already operate at the Airport today, but not with sufficient frequency to justify a runway extension beyond 7,000 feet at this time. To accommodate a future change in critical aircraft and/or forecast destinations, various Airport facilities would need to be enhanced, including a further runway extension to 8,000 feet, additional aircraft gate, the potential relocation of the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), and the shift of the remaining portions of existing Taxiway A to meet FAA design standards. These improvements would allow for the routine use of larger and/or different aircraft types.

PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

The primary purpose of Phase 1 of the Proposed Project is to enhance airfield safety at CRW by improving the existing RSAs in accordance with 14 CFR § 139.309 and as recommended by FAA AC 150/5300-13B, and to provide the appropriate runway and parallel taxiway separation distance based on wingtip clearance for the existing critical aircraft. Phase 1 of the Proposed Project would also extend the runway to meet the takeoff runway length requirements of the existing and forecast future aircraft fleet mix at the Airport in the near term (through approximately 2030). Phase 1 of the Proposed Project would also provide a gate configuration that adequately and efficiently meets the existing and near-term forecast aircraft needs; improve and enhance the efficiency of aircraft and passenger movement in the terminal area; and modernize the terminal complex to improve the passenger LOS.

The purpose of Phase 2 of the Proposed Project would be to provide airfield, safety, and terminal improvements that would support a change in critical aircraft at CRW, including larger and/or different aircraft types. Phase 2 of the Proposed Project would further extend the runway to meet the takeoff runway length requirements of the forecast future aircraft fleet mix and/or destinations that are anticipated to occur between 2030 and 2040. Phase 2 of the Proposed Project would also provide an approach lighting system for Runway 5 to increase availability of the runway and a standard runway to parallel taxiway separation distance and an additional (7th) aircraft gate to support a change in future critical aircraft.